"Those despicable humans!" Jorde seethed, his face twisted with a mix of fury and disgust.Riben's curiosity was piqued as he noticed Jorde's pale complexion and trembling body. "What's happened?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.Jorde struggled to find his words, his lips quivering uncontrollably. "H-Heads...heads of the Secondary Army! They're up ahead!" he finally managed to stammer out."Compose yourself and speak clearly!" Riben demanded, his voice sharp.To Riben's astonishment, Jorde's mouth opened, but no sound came out. He stood there, a trembling figure, his eyes haunted by the horrors he had witnessed.Riben locked eyes with Jorde, silencing the others around them. He knew that this scout had stumbled upon something that had shaken him to his very core.But what could it be?The scout's words were a jumbled mess, like a puzzle missing crucial pieces. Did he mean to convey that the secondary army had been lurking in the shadows, eagerly awaiting their arrival all along?B
"March forth, embracing death as our loyal companion! With unwavering determination, we shall shatter those formidable walls and bring that mighty gate crashing down!"Undeterred by the audacity of the command, the valiant warriors charged forward, their hearts ablaze with courage. Arrows rained down upon them, claiming the lives of some, but there were those who defied fate and reached the very threshold of the gate.Yet, just as victory seemed within their grasp, the gates swung open with a thunderous kick from within. The unexpected turn of events sent the beastmen stumbling backwards, plunging them into a momentary state of disarray.Seizing the opportunity to taunt their adversaries, a group of armoured humans emerged at the gate, their bows aimed with deadly precision. Caught off guard by the humans' swift ret
Time slipped away, like sand through the fingers of a forgotten hourglass.Emerging from the fortress gates, the knights bided their time, patiently waiting for the last glimpse of the beastmen to fade into the distance. With the stealth of shadows, they prowled the city, slipping through the back door gate undetected."Did you enjoy yourself, Young Master?" Jacob's voice broke the silence, his words laced with a hint of amusement.A bow rested in my grip, its weight a familiar comfort. It had been ages since I wielded this weapon, its power capable of rending through the beastmen's armour with ease.Behind me, a band of hunters from Stone Village trailed, their steps echoing the determination in their eyes. Reinforcements in the form of skilled archers joined our ranks, their presence a testament to our shared purpose."I managed to land some headshots," I chuckled, relishing in the thrill of each precise shot."Headshots?" Jacob's confusion was evident, his head tilting to the side
"The enemies deliberately targeted our supplies during the attack," Faru said, his face etched with concern. Little did he know that Chief Maruk's secondary army had faced the same onslaught."I've checked the remaining rations...""How much?" Riben asked, a glimmer of hope in his voice."At most, three days."And just like that, Riben's hopes came crashing down, shattered in an instant.Riben let out a heavy sigh, his heart burdened with worry."What about the medicines?" he asked, hoping for a glimmer of hope.Faru shook his head, a look of despair on his face. "They were all destroyed in the attack, along with several of our skilled
The fearless band of warriors charging towards the savage beastmen camp suddenly found themselves in retreat. They anxiously awaited their commander's command, their hearts pounding with anticipation.In a moment of audacity, Solan thrust her fist into the air, swiftly unfurling her fingers like a blooming flower.This was the long-awaited signal that set the plan into motion. The soldiers swiftly divided into prearranged squads, dispersing into the dense forest and converging at a predetermined location.Solan's crucial task was to deliberately leave false trails for their relentless pursuers. Though it might not completely deceive the enemy, it would serve as a clever ruse, granting them precious moments to escape and return to the sanctuary of Ice Demon City."We're m
Faru's eyes widened, realization dawning upon him."Then... there most certainly is a spy among our ranks," Faru concluded, his tone filled with a mix of frustration and determination.Riben let out a weary sigh, his gaze fixated on his throbbing right arm. The relentless aura poisoning was taking its toll, and he couldn't help but wonder how the warriors were faring in comparison.Faru's expression mirrored the gravity of the situation as he nodded solemnly. "Just as the witch doctors predicted. Over a hundred beastmen are now displaying symptoms of aura poisoning. It seems the recent events have only exacerbated the situation. Rest has become a luxury none of us can afford."His words hung heavy in the air as he scanned the room, meeting the eyes of each officer presen
With a mighty bellow, General Riben himself led the charge, sending a tidal wave of beastmen crashing towards the city. Simultaneously, a storm of arrows rained down from the heavens, piercing their ranks.Undeterred by their wounds, the beastmen pressed on, their assault devoid of strategy, relying solely on their overwhelming numbers.A mere handful of archers stood no chance against the onslaught of several thousand warriors.In this assault, there was no cunning or cleverness at play, just a relentless onslaught driven by sheer numbers.And it appeared that Faru's assessment was spot-on.A horde of beastmen managed to breach a section of the wooden barrier. Like a swarm of buzzing bees, they poured inside the clash of met
Zikk, the noobie of stealth, crouched behind the crumbling wall, his bow at the ready. With each passing moment, he unleashed a flurry of arrows, strategically timed to keep the enemy at bay. This battlefield was like nothing he had ever witnessed before, a clash of titans between an army of eight thousand beastmen and the feeble defenses of a small city.Despite their overwhelming numbers, the mighty beastmen found themselves thwarted at every turn. Only two paths had been carved through the city's defenses, a testament to the resilience of its inhabitants. And it was all thanks to three extraordinary individuals.On one of these hard-fought pathways, two commanders from the Ice Demon city stood as immovable pillars, refusing to let a single beastman breach their defenses.
"Ryle Green, step forward!" the Royal advisor said, seeing Ryle was in a daze.Ryle coughed and stepped forward, his heart pounding with excitement as he knelt before the Princess."Ryle Green, you are hereby granted authority over fifty thousand soldiers," the Princess said, her voice like a melody that soothed the soul. "You shall be the commander of the Vanguard Army!"With a snap of her fingers, the Princess bestowed an insignia upon Ryle's shoulder, its glow of light like a beacon of hope in the face of the looming threat of the Beast Kingdom."I will crush those beastmen for you, Your Highness!" Ryle said, his voice filled with determination and resolve.The Princess smiled, her eyes filled with pride and hope. "We have faith in you, Ryle," she said. "Together, we will defeat the Beast Kingdom and restore peace to our lands."Princess Ladia nodded, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "I expect a lot from the younger generation, Ryle," she said, her voice laced with both encou
The Dwarven Kingdom, a land renowned for its glittering wealth, held its breath. The Brightwing Empire’s meager offer, a desperate plea for aid, was all they had to entice the notoriously hard-drinking mercenaries. Even if their weapons were outdated, their reputation for unmatched effectiveness in battle preceded them. Surely, that would be enough.“Your Majesty,” a guard murmured, his voice barely a tremor in the air. “They have arrived.”Princess Ladia, lost in a labyrinth of thought, startled slightly. She had wrestled with the decision for what felt like an eternity, but finally, a solution had emerged. All that remained was to face them, to meet their gaze and offer her hand in this desperate alliance.Viscount Lamiel, a man whose arrogance was only surpassed by his thirst for gold, strode into the royal garden, flanked by a legion of equally boisterous mercenaries. Princess Ladia recognized most of them – the nobles summoned by the crown, their faces etched with a mixture of g
The scene unfolded with brutal efficiency. Several soldiers, their faces grim and resolute, descended upon Drew and the other soldier, their movements swift and decisive. There was no struggle, no desperate pleas for mercy. They walked away with heads bowed, accepting their fate with a stoic silence that spoke volumes of their resignation.Ryle, his expression a mixture of weariness and amusement, ran a hand through his hair, a sigh escaping his lips. "What a waste of a perfectly good sleep," he muttered, his voice laced with a hint of exasperation. "Young men like myself need our rest, yet everyone seems determined to disrupt my slumber over such trivial matters."His gaze shifted to me, and a playful smile curved his lips. "Allow me to introduce myself," he said, extending a hand towards me. "Ryle Green, third son of Count Green, and as you might be able to tell, the future commander of this very army." He spoke with an air of unwavering confidence, his words carrying the weight of
Two soldiers from a rival camp, their boots crunching on the gravel path, happened upon the conversation. One soldier, his face contorting with barely suppressed mirth, clamped a hand over his mouth, desperately trying to stifle a chuckle. His companion, sensing the impending eruption, jabbed him in the ribs with an elbow, a silent plea for decorum. But the laughter, like a trapped spring, was too powerful to contain. Tears welled in the soldier's eyes, threatening to spill over as his shoulders shook with silent mirth. Finally, with a strangled cry, he burst into a full-blown guffaw. "Hahahaha! If it's the Young Master leading us! Hahaha! We'll be able to… Pft! Hahaha!"The sound of his uncontrolled laughter echoed through the camp, drawing curious glances from nearby soldiers. Gaston, his face a mask of confusion and irritation, turned to the source of the amusement. "Excuse me, but what's so funny?" he demanded, his voice laced with displeasure.The soldier, still gasping for br
The unyielding army of the Ice Demon City had been journeying for a considerable number of weeks, traversing a multitude of cities and towns along the way. During our sojourns, we would occasionally restock our supplies, find respite in taverns, and often in the great outdoors, before resuming our arduous trek.Given the unfortunate circumstances, we were informed that the Ice Demon City was the most distant of all cities from the capital. This reality meant that we were among the last to receive the urgent message, compelling us to join the ranks of the other nobles and their armies in the capital.It was in the fourth week of our relentless march that we finally arrived in the grand and magnificent Capital city. The journey had been long and arduous, but our determination never wavered, as we knew our presence was required in these critical times. I had already surmised that the majority of the other nobles and their forces would have already amassed in the capital, readying themse
As the first light of dawn broke through the windows of the guest house, Miron found himself indulging in a breakfast that was nothing short of exquisite. The flavours were so delightful that he couldn't help but admit to himself that it had been a long time since he had enjoyed a meal as delicious as this one.Before long, Miron was summoned by the lord of the Ice Demon City. With a gracious wave of his hand, the lord invited Miron to take a seat on the soft and ornate sofa in the grand hall. Miron, still feeling a bit tense and on edge, quickly obliged and sat down.Despite the gravity of the situation and the impending battle that lay ahead, the lord of the Ice Demon City seemed completely at ease. He sat on his throne, casually eating his food and even humming a tune that was both strange and captivating. Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Miron finally mustered up the courage to ask, "My lord, how can you remain so calm and untroubled? Surely you must feel some fear or
"You won't find Baron Ethan in the mansion," Zikk stated, his hand resting lightly on Miron's shoulder. "He should be in the Endless Forest, training his soldiers."The gesture, though seemingly warm and reassuring, sent a chill down Miron's spine. He sensed a veiled warning in Zikk's words, a subtle reminder of the stakes involved. This was no ordinary mission; it was a delicate dance, a test of Miron's competence and discretion."I am busy," Zikk continued, his tone shifting to one of finality. "I'll get going."Miron, still reeling from the weight of Zikk's revelation, blurted out, "Sir, you're working in this city?" The thought that the Grand Knight, a legendary warrior, would be toiling away in the mundane tasks of everyday life seemed utterly incongruous.Zikk chuckled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Of course, I need to feed myself, right?" He winked, a playful glint in his gaze. "See you around."With that, Zikk turned and strode away, disappearing into the labyrinthine all
The whispers and hearsay suggesting that Ethan Slayer was the individual responsible for instigating a full-scale conflict between the formidable Beast Kingdom and the vast Empire were, in the opinion of Miron, nothing more than baseless conjecture. He was firmly convinced that these rumors were merely the result of devious political machinations being orchestrated by a select group of nobles within the Empire, who were cunningly manipulating the situation to their own advantage.Such tales of intrigue and deception were likely to be believed only by the most gullible of commoners and the lowest-ranking of nobles, who were easily swayed by sensationalist stories and exaggerated claims.Furthermore, there was another outlandish rumor circulating, which held that Ethan Slayer had single-handedly defeated an entire legion of the Beast Kingdom's most formidable warriors, and had compelled a daunting elite force of ten thousand beastmen to retreat in disgrace, with their tails tucked meek
Miron approached the city with a sense of trepidation, expecting the usual lax security measures that were common in many of the smaller territories. However, he was pleasantly surprised to find that the checkpoint at the gate was both rigid and strict, a testament to the city's strong defenses.As he entered the city, he was immediately struck by the vibrant atmosphere that pervaded the streets. The residents of Ice Demon City went about their daily lives with genuine smiles on their faces, as though the war that was raging in the north was of little concern to them. Children played and laughed on the streets, while adults busied themselves with their work.Miron's eyes widened in astonishment as he realized that the roads within the city were all paved, a luxury that was rarely found in such remote territories. He shook his head in disbelief, wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him."I must be seeing things," he muttered to himself, unable to comprehend the level of develop